Club career

Derby County

Born in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, Huddlestone was taken on by Nottingham Forest at an early age but was released at 12 as he was claimed to be "not strong enough". After Forest he joined Derby and after progressing well, made his debut for Derby County's reserve side at the age of just 15, when he appeared as an 80th minute sub at right-wing back in a match against Coventry City.

He was given his full debut by George Burley at the age of 16 on the opening day of the 2003–04 season in a 3–0 home defeat to Stoke City, where he was voted Man of the Match. Though Derby struggled in Huddlestone's first full season, Huddlestone was one of Derby's few bright points, with Burley saying "He's a terrific talent. As a young player, he (is) the best passer of a ball I (have) ever seen, and I've worked with some good young players." He eventually went on to appear in 43 of Derby's 46 league games that season. He enjoyed an equally successful 2004-05 as Derby reached the Football League Division One playoffs, where they lost to Preston North End in the semifinals. However, half way through the season Huddlestone signed for Tottenham Hotspur in January 2005 for a fee reported to be worth up to £2.5 million, though he remained at Derby for the rest of...Read More